Internal pedicle insulator

Abstract

A pedicle insulator implant is designed to protect the nerves and surrounding tissue from injury by pedicle screws or other surgical devices and instruments. In its basic structure, the implant has a thicker section and a thinner section, the thicker section providing protection for nerves and other sensitive tissues while the thinner section can be deformable and provides grip. In one variation of the basic structure, the thinner section possess a rough surface when it is desirable in situations to provide further grip of the assembly and prevent rotation during the insertion of, for example, a pedicle screw.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A method for stabilizing a surgical fixture comprising:
 inserting an implant into tissue, the implant comprising:
 a non-continuous cylindrical wall defining an interior cavity and having a first end and a second end; 
 a first segment of the cylindrical wall comprising a smooth exterior surface; 
 and 
 a second segment of the cylindrical wall comprising a rough exterior surface, wherein:
 the first segment of the cylindrical wall is of a greater thickness than the second segment of the cylindrical wall; and 
 a portion of the second segment of the cylindrical wall overlaps a portion of the first segment of the cylindrical wall, extending into the interior cavity; and 
 
 
 driving a distal end of a fixture into tissue into which the implant is inserted. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein driving the distal end of the fixture into tissue into which the implant is inserted comprises urging an intermediate segment of the fixture through the interior cavity of the implant. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fixture is a pedicle screw. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein a distal end of the implant is annularly tapered. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the implant further comprises a rough surface for enhancing grip of the fixture to a vertebra reducing the tendency of the fixture to toggle and increasing pullout strength of the fixture. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rough surface comprises threads, protrusions, teeth, barbs, fins, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the rough surface comprises substantially triangular-shaped protrusions. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first segment of the implant comprises a first material and the second segment of the implant comprises a second material. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first material and the second material are biocompatible or bioinert materials. 
     
     
       10. The pedicle insulator implant of  claim 9 , wherein the second material is more ridged than the first material.